Modified Ionic Liquids Containing Phosphorus

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a phosphorus-modified ionic liquid compound, the synthesis thereof and an electrochemical cell electrolyte containing the phosphorus-modified ionic liquid compound.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/317,025, filed Apr. 1, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure is directed towards an ionic liquid whose cation includes a phosphorus moiety and an electrolyte for electrochemical cells containing the ionic liquid.

BACKGROUND

Recent progress in synthesis and electrochemical analysis of room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) has established the promise of this unique class of materials as electrolytes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. ILs are organic salts having melting points below 100° C. and generally consist of a bulky cation and an inorganic anion. The large cation size allows for delocalization and screening of charges, resulting in a reduction in the lattice energy and thereby the melting point or glass transition temperature. ILs have unique physicochemical properties, such as negligible vapor pressure, non-flammability, good room-temperature ionic conductivity, a wide electrochemical window, and favorable chemical and thermal stability. These properties are desirable for providing IL-based electrolytes for lithium batteries.

However, there are still safety challenges such as flammability of lithium-ion batteries under abuse conditions or even normal conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,600 to Narang et al. teaches the use of a flame retardant electrolyte composition containing a phosphate-based non-aqueous solvent, but mentions no use of an ionic liquid. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate a novel ionic liquid with flame retardant capabilities into lithium ion batteries.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed towards an ionic liquid, including anions and cations, wherein the cations have at least one phosphorus moiety.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrolyte for use in an electrical storage device, the electrolyte includes an aprotic organic solvent, an alkali metal salt, an additive and an ionic liquid compound that contains at least one phosphorus moiety.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrolyte in an electrical energy storage device, the electrolyte includes an aprotic organic solvent, an alkali metal salt, an additive and an ionic liquid compound that contains at least one phosphorus moiety, wherein the organic solvent is open-chain or cyclic carbonates, carboxylic acid esters, nitrites, ethers, sulfones, sulfoxides, ketones, lactones, dioxolanes, glymes, crown ethers, siloxanes, phosphoric acid esters, phosphates, phosphites, mono- or polyphosphazenes or mixtures thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrolyte in an electrical energy storage device, the electrolyte includes an aprotic organic solvent, an alkali metal salt, an additive and the ionic liquid compound that contains at least one phosphorus moiety, wherein the cation of the alkali metal salt is lithium, sodium, aluminum or magnesium.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrolyte in an electrical energy storage device, the electrolyte including an aprotic organic solvent, an alkali metal salt, an additive and an ionic liquid compound that contains at least one phosphorus moiety, wherein the additive contains sulfur-containing compounds, phosphorus-containing compounds, boron-containing compounds, silicon-containing compounds, compounds containing at least one unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, carboxylic acid anhydrides or mixtures thereof.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent upon a review of the following detailed description and the claims appended thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a thermogravimetric comparison between dibutylphosphate and quaternized dibutylphosphate-ethylpyrrolidine;

FIG. 2 is a graph of discharge profiles of cells containing ionic liquid electrolytes in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a graph of charge and discharge profiles of cells containing ionic liquid electrolytes in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed towards an ionic liquid compound including at least one cation and at least one anion, wherein the at least one cation is covalently bonded to at least one phosphorus moiety ionic.

In an embodiment, an electrical energy storage device electrolyte includes a) an aprotic organic solvent system; b) an alkali metal salt; c) an additive; and d) an ionic liquid compound including at least one cation and an at least one anion, wherein at least one cation is covalently bonded to at least one phosphorus moiety.

In an embodiment, an ionic liquid compound includes an anion; and a cation attached to a phosphorus moiety according to the formula:

wherein: A is a CAT⁺ or R₁; B is a CAT⁺ or R₂; CAT⁺ is a pyrrolidinium, piperdinium, azepanium, onium, sulfonium, phosphonium, imidazolium, pyridine or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring having 1 to 3 heteroatoms as ring members including nitrogen, oxygen, silicon or sulfur; R₁ and R₂ are independently a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane; Y is O, S or N, with the proviso that when Y is O. CAT⁺ is not an imidazolium or a pyridine; and X is (a) a linker, including a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, ester, carbonyl, phenyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo or aryl group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide; (b) O, S, N, or C; or (c) O, S, N, or C attached to the linker.

In an embodiment, an ionic liquid compound includes an anion; and a cation attached to a phosphorus moiety according to the formula:

wherein: A is a CAT⁺ or R₁; B is a CAT⁺ or R₂; CAT⁺ is a pyrrolidinium, piperdinium, azepanium, onium, sulfonium, phosphonium, imidazolium, pyridine or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring having 1 to 3 heteroatoms as ring members comprising nitrogen, oxygen, silicon or sulfur; R₁ and R₂ are independently a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane; and X is (a) a linker, comprising a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, ester, carbonyl, phenyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo or aryl group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide; (b) O, S, N, or C; or (c) O, S, N, or C attached to the linker.

Suitable anions in accordance with the present disclosure, include but are not limited to halides (e.g., Cl, Br), nitrates (e.g., NO₃), phosphates (e.g., PF₆, TFOP), imides (e.g., TFSI, BETI), borates (e.g., BOB, BF₄), aluminates, arsenides, cyanides, thiocyanates, nitrites, benzoates, carbonates, chlorates, chlorites, chromates, sulfates, sulfites, silicates, thiosulfates, chalcogenides, pnictogenides, crystallogenides, oxalates, acetates, formates, or hydroxides.

The disclosure further includes a method for synthesizing the phosphorus cations, and the use of such functionalized cations in an ionic liquid for electrochemical cells. These compounds afford the electrolyte greater thermal stability.

Typically, to first synthesize a phosphorus-cationic salt, the synthesis reaction is carried out with or without a catalyst in the presence of an organic compound. Suitable organic compounds include a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, for example, N-alkyl-N-alkyl pyrrolidine, N-alkyl-N-alkyl pyridine, N-alkyl-N-alkyl imidazoline, N-alkyl-N-alkyl phosphine, N-alkyl-N-alkyl sulfone, N-alkyl-N-alkyl amine or N-alkyl-N-alkyl piperidine.

The synthesis reaction is also preferably carried out in the presence of a base. Suitable bases include: an alkali metal carbonate, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or lithium carbonate; an alkali metal alkoxide, such as sodium alkoxide, potassium alkoxide or lithium alkoxide; an alkali metal methoxide, an alkali metal ethoxide; an alkali metal propoxide or an alkali metal butoxide, such as sodium methoxide, potassium methoxide, lithium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium ethoxide, lithium ethoxide, sodium propoxide, potassium propoxide, lithium propoxide, sodium t-butoxide, potassium t-butoxide, lithium t-butoxide, sodium hydride, potassium hydride, pyridine, triethylamine, N,N-diethylamine, N,N-diisopropylamine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (Hunig's base), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO); KHCO₃; NaHCO₃; BaCO₃; CaCO₃; Cs₂CO₃; MgCO₃; KOH; NaOH and LiOH. A preferred base is sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate.

The synthesis reaction is also carried out in the presence of an organic solvent. Examples of the organic solvent are: dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform, acetonitrile, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, 1,2-dimethyoxyethane, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), chlorobenzene, xylenes, heptane, hexanes, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone, DMF, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidinone, MTBE, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, t-butanol and ethylene glycol. A preferred solvent is dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran.

The organic solvent is employed in an amount within the range from about 3 mL/g to about 15 mL/g of reaction mixture of the phosphate and the organic compound, preferably from about 5 mL/g to about 10 mL/g reaction mixture of the phosphorus of the organic compound.

The reaction of the phosphorus and the organic compound is carried out under relatively mild conditions at a temperature within the range from about 10° C. to about 30° C., preferably from about 15° C. to about 25° C., for a period to ensure yields of at least about 85%, and yields of 88 to 92%, and >90% potency.

The reaction is additionally carried out in the presence of water in an amount within the range from about 3 mL/g to about 15 mL/g reaction mixture of the phosphate of the organic compound, preferably from about 5 mL/g to about 10 mL/g reaction mixture of the phosphorus of the organic compound.

The phosphorus-modified organic compound is quaternized in the presence of methyl iodide and a solvent; suitable solvents include dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform, acetonitrile, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, 1,2-dimethyoxyethane, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), chlorobenzene, xylenes, heptane, hexanes, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone, DMF, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidinone, MTBE, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, t-butanol and ethylene glycol, preferably acetonitrile. The resultant phosphate-organic cation then undergoes metathesis in the presence of a lithium salt.

In a preferred embodiment, the phosphorus compound is dibutylphosphate and the organic compound is N-(2-chloroethyl) pyrrolidine. Most preferably, the pyrrolidine is attached to one dibutylphospate and quaternized to dibutylphosphate ethyl pyrrolidinium.

In the present disclosure, an electrolyte includes a thermally stable ionic liquid, an alkali metal, such as lithium, an additive and an aprotic solvent for use in an electrochemical cell. The ionic liquid contains an organic cation and an inorganic/organic anion, with the organic cation being N-alkyl-N-alkyl-pyrrolidinium, N-alkyl-N-alkyl-pyridnium, N-alkyl-N-alkyl-sulfonium, N-alkyl-N-alkyl-ammonium, N-alkyl-N-alkyl-piperdinium or the like, and the anion being tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, bis(pentafluoroethylsulfonyl)imide, trifluoroacetate or the like. The polymer in the electrolyte includes poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives, with varying molecular weights ranging from about 150 g/mol to about 10,000,000 g/mol. Suitable aprotic solvents include carbonates, ethers, acetamides, acetonitrile, symmetric sulfones, 1,3-dioxolanes, dimethoxyethanes, glymes, siloxanes and their blends. The alkali metal salt can be LiBF₄, LiNO₃, LiPF₆, LiAsF₆, lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), lithium bis(pentafluoroethylsulfonyl)imide, lithium trifluoroacetate, or a similar compound.

In some embodiments, the electrolyte includes a lithium salt in addition to the ionic liquid. A variety of lithium salts may be used, including, for example. Li[CF₃CO₂]; Li[C₂F₅CO₂]; Li[ClO₄]; Li[BF₄]; Li[AsF₆]; Li[PF₆]; Li[PF₂(C₂O₄)₂]; Li[PF₄C₂O₄]; Li[CF₃SO₃]; Li[N(CP₃SO₂)₂]; Li[C(CF₃SO₂)₃]; Li[N(SO₂C₂F₅)₂]; lithium alkyl fluorophosphates; Li[B(C₂O₄)₂]; Li[BF₂C₂O₄]; Li₂[B₁₂Z_(12-j)H_(j)]; Li₂[B₁₀X_(10-j′)H_(j′)]; or a mixture of any two or more thereof, wherein Z is independent at each occurrence a halogen, j is an integer from 0 to 12 and j′ is an integer from 1 to 10.

In some applications of the present electrolyte, such as a formulation for a lithium ion battery, aprotic solvents are combined with the present ionic liquids to decrease the viscosity and increase the conductivity of the electrolyte. The most appropriate aprotic solvents lack exchangeable protons, including cyclic carbonic acid esters, linear carbonic acid esters, phosphoric acid esters, oligoether substituted siloxanes/silanes, cyclic ethers, chain ethers, lactone compounds, chain esters, nitrile compounds, amide compounds, sulfone compounds, siloxanes, phosphoric acid esters, phosphates, phosphites, mono- or polyphosphazenes and the like. These solvents may be used singly, or at least two of them in admixture. Examples of aprotic solvents or carriers for forming the electrolyte systems include but are not limited to dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, methyl propyl carbonate, ethyl propyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, bis(trifluoroethyl) carbonate, bis(pentafluoropropyl) carbonate, trifluoroethyl methyl carbonate, pentafluoroethyl methyl carbonate, heptafluoropropyl methyl carbonate, perfluorobutyl methyl carbonate, trifluoroethyl ethyl carbonate, pentafluoroethyl ethyl carbonate, heptafluoropropyl ethyl carbonate, perfluorobutyl ethyl carbonate, etc., fluorinated oligomers, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, dimethoxyethane, triglyme, dimethylvinylene carbonate, tetraethyleneglycol, dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycols, triphenyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, hexafluorocyclotriphosphazene, 2-Ethoxy-2,4,6,6-pentafluoro-1,3,5,2-5,4-5,6-5 triazatriphosphinine, triphenyl phosphite, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl methyl sulfone, ethylvinyl sulfone, allyl methyl sulfone, divinyl sulfone, fluorophynelmethyl sulfone and gamma-butyrolactone.

In some embodiments, the electrolytes further include an additive to protect the electrodes from degradation. Thus, electrolytes of the present technology may include an additive that is reduced or polymerized on the surface of a negative electrode to form a passivation film on the surface of the negative electrode. Likewise, electrolytes can include an additive that can be oxidized or polymerized on the surface of the positive electrode to form a passivation film on the surface of the positive electrode. In some embodiments, electrolytes of the present technology further include mixtures of the two types of additives.

In some embodiments, an additive is a substituted or unsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon including at least one oxygen atom and at least one aryl, alkenyl or alkynyl group. The passivating film formed from such additives may also be formed from a substituted aryl compound or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl compound where the additive includes at least one oxygen atom. Alternatively, a combination of two additives may be used. In some such embodiments, one ions and the other additive can be selective for passivating the anode surface to prevent or lessen the reduction of metal ions at the anode.

Representative additives include glyoxal bis(diallyl acetal), tetra(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether, 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, 1,3,5,7-tetravinyl-1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane, 2,4,6-triallyloxy-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-triacryloylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine, 1,2-divinyl furoate, 1,3-butadiene carbonate, l-vinylazetidin-2-one, 1-vinylaziridin-2-one, 1-vinylpiperidin-2-one, 1 vinylpyrrolidin-2-one, 2,4-divinyl-1,3-dioxane, 2-amino-3-vinylcyclohexanone, 2-amino-3-vinylcyclopropanone, 2 amino-4-vinylcyclobutanone, 2-amino-5-vinylcyclopentanone, 2-aryloxy-cyclopropanone, 2-vinyl-[1,2]oxazetidine, 2 vinylaminocyclohexanol, 2-vinylaminocyclopropanone, 2-vinyloxetane, 2-vinyloxy-cyclopropanone, 3-(N-vinylamino)cyclohexanone, 3,5-divinyl furoate, 3-vinylazetidin-2-one, 3 vinylaziridin-2-one, 3-vinylcyclobutanone, 3-vinylcyclopentanone, 3-vinyloxaziridine, 3-vinyloxetane, 3-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one, 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane, acrolein diethyl acetal, acrolein dimethyl acetal, 4,4-divinyl-3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-vinyltetrahydropyran, 5-vinylpiperidin-3-one, allylglycidyl ether, butadiene monoxide, butyl-vinyl-ether, dihydropyran-3-one, divinyl butyl carbonate, divinyl carbonate, divinyl crotonate, divinyl ether, divinyl ethylene carbonate, divinyl ethylene silicate, divinyl ethylene sulfate, divinyl ethylene sulfite, divinyl methoxypyrazine, divinyl methylphosphate, divinyl propylene carbonate, ethyl phosphate, methoxy-o-terphenyl, methyl phosphate, oxetan-2-yl-vinylamine, oxiranylvinylamine, vinyl carbonate, vinyl crotonate, vinyl cyclopentanone, vinyl ethyl-2-furoate, vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl ethylene silicate, vinyl ethylene sulfate, vinyl ethylene sulfite, vinyl methacrylate, vinyl phosphate, vinyl-2-furoate, vinylcylopropanone, vinylethylene oxide, Pf-vinyl-γ-butyrolactone or a mixture of any two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the additive may be a cyclotriphosphazene that is substituted with F, alkyloxy, alkenyloxy, aryloxy, methoxy, allyloxy groups or combinations thereof. For example, the additive may be a (divinyl)-(methoxy)(trifluoro)cyclotriphosphazene, (trivinyl)(difluoro)methoxy)cyclotriphosphazene, (vinyl)(methoxy)tetrafluoro)cyclotriphosphazene, (aryloxy)tetrafluoro)(methoxy)cyclotriphosphazene or (diaryloxytrifluoroXmethoxy)cyclotriphosphazene compounds or a mixture of two or more such compounds. In some embodiments, the additive is vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl carbonate, or 1,2-diphenyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more such compounds.

Other representative additives include compounds with phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, furanyl, indolyl, carbazolyl, imidazolyl, thiophenyl, fluorinated carbonates, sultone, sulfide, anhydride, silane, siloxy, phosphate or phosphite groups. For example, additives may be phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfide, fluoroethylene carbonate, 1,3,2-dioxathiolane 2,2-dioxide, I-propene 1,3-sultone, 1,3-propanesultone, 1,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl], 1,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-[[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethoxy]methyl]-, methyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl carbonate, nonafluorohexyltriethoxysilane, octamethyltrisiloxane, methyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, tetrakis(trimethylsiloxy)silane, (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)triethoxysilane, tris(1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl)phosphate, 3,3,3-trifuoropropyltris(3,3,3-trifluoropropyldimethylsiloxy)silane, (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)trimethoxysilane, trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, tris(trimethylsilyl) borate, tripropyl phosphate, bis(trimethylsilylmethyl)benzylamine, phenyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, 1,3-bis(trifluoropropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane, triphenyl phosphate, tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphate, tris(1H,1H,5H-octafluoropentyl)phosphate, triphenyl phosphite, trilauryl trithiophosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, tri-p-tolyl phosphite, tris(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)phosphate, succinic anhydride, 1,5,2,4-dioxadithiane 2,2,4,4-tetraoxide, tripropyl trithiophosphate, aryloxpyrrole, aryloxy ethylene sulfate, aryloxy pyrazine, aryloxy-carbazole trivinylphosphate, aryloxy-ethyl-2-furoate, aryloxy-o-terphenyl, aryloxy-pyridazine, butyl-aryloxy-ether, divinyl diphenyl ether, (tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-vinylamine, divinyl methoxybipyridine, methoxy-4-vinylbiphenyl, vinyl methoxy carbazole, vinyl methoxy piperidine, vinyl methoxypyrazine, vinyl methyl carbonate-allylanisole, vinyl pyridazine, 1-divinylimidazole, 3-vinyltetrahydrofuran, divinyl furan, divinyl methoxy furan, divinylpyrazine, vinyl methoxy imidazole, vinylmethoxy pyrrole, vinyl-tetrahydrofuran, 2,4-divinyl isooxazole, 3,4 divinyl-1-methyl pyrrole, aryloxyoxetane, aryloxy-phenyl carbonate, aryloxy-piperidine, aryloxy-tetrahydrofuran, 2-aryl-cyclopropanone, 2-diaryloxy-furoate, 4-allylanisole, aryloxy-carbazole, aryloxy-2-furoate, aryloxy-crotonate, aryloxy-cyclobutane, aryloxy-cyclopentanone, aryloxy-cyclopropanone, aryloxy-cycolophosphazene, aryloxy-ethylene silicate, aryloxy-ethylene sulfate, aryloxy-ethylene sulfite, aryloxy-imidazole, aryloxy-methacrylate, aryloxy-phosphate, aryloxy-pyrrole, aryloxyquinoline, diaryloxycyclotriphosphazene, diaryloxy ethylene carbonate, diaryloxy furan, diaryloxy methyl phosphate, diaryloxy-butyl carbonate, diaryloxy-crotonate, diaryloxy-diphenyl ether, diaryloxy-ethyl silicate, diaryloxy-ethylene silicate, diaryloxy-ethylene sulfate, diaryloxyethylene sulfite, diaryloxy-phenyl carbonate, diaryloxy-propylene carbonate, diphenyl carbonate, diphenyl diaryloxy silicate, diphenyl divinyl silicate, diphenyl ether, diphenyl silicate, divinyl methoxydiphenyl ether, divinyl phenyl carbonate, methoxycarbazole, or 2,4-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine, vinyl methoxyquinoline, pyridazine, vinyl pyridazine, quinoline, vinyl quinoline, pyridine, vinyl pyridine, indole, vinyl indole, triethanolamine, 1,3-dimethyl butadiene, butadiene, vinyl ethylene carbonate, vinyl carbonate, imidazole, vinyl imidazole, piperidine, vinyl piperidine, pyrimidine, vinyl pyrimidine, pyrazine, vinyl pyrazine, isoquinoline, vinyl isoquinoline, quinoxaline, vinyl quinoxaline, biphenyl, 1,2-diphenyl ether, 1,2-diphenylethane, o terphenyl, N-methyl pyrrole, naphthalene or a mixture of any two or more such compounds.

In some other embodiments, the electrolyte of the present technology includes an aprotic gel polymer carrier/solvent. Suitable gel polymer carrier/solvents include polyethers, polyethylene oxides, polyimides, polyphosphazines, polyacrylonitriles, polysiloxanes, polyether grafted polysiloxanes, derivatives of the foregoing, copolymers of the foregoing, cross-linked and network structures of the foregoing, blends of the foregoing and the like, to which is added a suitable ionic electrolyte salt. Other gel-polymer carrier/solvents include those prepared from polymer matrices derived from polypropylene oxides, polysiloxanes, sulfonated polyimides, perfluorinated membranes (Nafion resins), divinyl polyethylene glycols, polyethylene glycol-bis-(methyl acrylates), polyethylene glycol-bis(methyl methacrylates), derivatives of the foregoing, copolymers of the foregoing and cross-linked and network structures of the foregoing.

The functional ionic liquids and the electrolytic solution containing the salt are high in electrical conductivity and solubility in organic solvents, and are suitable for use as an electrolytic solution for electrochemical devices. Examples of electrochemical devices are electric double-layer capacitor, secondary batteries, solar cells of the pigment sensitizer type, electrochromic devices and condensers, and this list is not limitative. Especially suitable as electrochemical devices are electric double-layer capacitor and secondary batteries, such as a lithium ion battery.

In yet another aspect, an electrochemical device is provided that includes a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte including an ionic liquid as described herein. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device is a lithium secondary battery. In some embodiments, the secondary battery is a lithium battery, a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a lithium-air battery, a sodium ion battery or a magnesium battery. In some embodiments, the electrochemical device is an electrochemical cell, such as a capacitor. In some embodiments, the capacitor is an asymmetric capacitor or supercapacitor. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell is a primary cell. In some embodiments, the primary cell is a lithium/MnO₂ battery or Li/poly(carbon monofluoride) battery. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell is a solar cell.

Suitable cathodes include those such as, but not limited to, a lithium metal oxide, spinel, olivine, carbon-coated olivine, LiFePO₄, LiCoO₂, LiNiO₂, LiNi_(1x)Co_(y)Met_(z)O₂, LiMn_(0.5)Ni_(0.3)O₂, LiMn_(0.3)Co_(0.3)Ni_(0.3)O₂, LiMn₂O₄, LiFeO₂, Li_(1+x)Ni_(α)Mn_(β)Co_(γ)Met′_(δ)O_(2-z′)F_(z′), A_(n).B₂(XO₄); (NASICON), vanadium oxide, lithium peroxide, sulfur, polysulfide, a lithium carbon monofluoride (also known as LiCFx) or mixtures of any two or more thereof, where Met is Al, Mg, Ti, B, Ga, Si, Mn or Co; Met′ is Mg, Zn, Al, Ga, B, Zr or Ti; A is Li, Ag, Cu, Na, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn; B is Ti, V, Cr, Fe or Zr; X is P, S, Si, W or Mo; and wherein 0≦x≦0.3, 0≦y≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.5, 0≧x′≦0.4, 0≦α≦1, 0≦β≦1, 0≦γ≦1, 0≦δ≦0.4, 0≦z′≦0.4 and 0≦h′≦3. According to some embodiments, the spinel is a spinel manganese oxide with the formula of Li_(1+x)Mn_(2-z)Met′″_(y)O_(4-m)X′_(n), wherein Met′″ is Al, Mg, Ti, B, Ga, Si, Ni or Co; X′ is S or F; and wherein 0≦x≦0.3, 0≦y≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.5, 0≦m≦0.5 and 0≦n≦0.5. In other embodiments, the olivine has a formula of Li_(1+x)Fe_(1z)Met″_(y)PO_(4-m)X′_(n), wherein Met″ is Al, Mg, Ti, B, Ga, Si, Ni, Mn or Co; X′ is S or F; and wherein 0≦x≦0.3, 0≦y≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.5, 0≦m≦0.5 and 0≦n≦0.5.

Suitable anodes include those such as lithium metal, graphitic materials, amorphous carbon, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, tin alloys, silicon alloys, intermetallic compounds or mixtures of any two or more such materials. Suitable graphitic materials include natural graphite, artificial graphite, graphitized meso-carbon microbeads (MCMB) and graphite fibers, as well as any amorphous carbon materials. In some embodiments, the anode and cathode are separated from each other by a porous separator.

The separator for the lithium battery often is a microporous polymer film. Examples of polymers for forming films include: nylon, cellulose, nitrocellulose, polysulfone, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutene, or copolymers or blends of any two or more such polymers. In some instances, the separator is an electron beam-treated micro-porous polyolefin separator. The electron treatment can improve the deformation temperature of the separator and can accordingly enhance the high temperature performance of the separator. Additionally, or alternatively, the separator can be a shut-down separator. The shut-down separator can have a trigger temperature above about 130° C. to permit the electrochemical cells to operate at temperatures up to about 130° C.

The disclosure will be further illustrated with reference to the following specific examples. It is understood that these examples are given by way of illustration and are not meant to limit the disclosure or the claims to follow.

Example 1

Synthesis of phosphate functional ionic liquids. A) Synthesis of dibutyl 2-1(-pyrolidinyl)ethyl phosphate According to Table 1.

TABLE 1 Mass Volume Yield Reagent MW Equiv Mol (g) Density (mL) Conc (calc) dibutylphosphate 210.21 1.00 0.067 14.0 1.060 13.2 N-(2-chloroethyl)pyrrolidine 133.62 1.00 0.067 8.9 8.9 8.9 DCM 38.2 1.33 28.8 60% K₂CO₃ 138.21 1.05 0.070 9.7 Dibutylphosphate- 307.33 1.00 0.000 20.5 ethylpyrrolidine KCl 74.55 1.00 4.97 KHCO₃ 100.11 1.00 6.67

Potassium carbonate, dichloromethane (DCM), dibutylphosphate and N-(2-chloroethyl)pyrrolidine (prepared by regenerating the free amine from N-(2-chloroethyl)pyrrolidine-HCl) were added to a 250 mL flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar. A slight exotherm was observed. The mixture was stirred at room temperature and the overall reaction time was four days.

During the reaction, potassium carbonate was gradually consumed as it scavenged the liberated HCl to form potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate, approximately 11.6 g.

DCM (60 mL) and DI water (60 mL) were added to the reaction mixture and the organic phase was extracted. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. Yield: dark amber oil, 7.7 g (38%).

H⁺ NMR: (CDCl3) δ ppm 4.15 (q, 2H), 4.05 (q, 4H), 2.78 (t, 2H), 2.57 (m, 4H), 1.78 (m, 4H), 1.67 (q, 4H), 1.41 (s, 4H), 0.94 (t, 6H).

B) Synthesis of Phosphate Functional Pyrrolidium and Ionic Liquid Containing Thereof According to Table 2.

TABLE 2 Mass Volume Yield Reagent MW Equiv Mol (g) Density (mL) Conc (calc) dibutylphosphate- 307.33 1.00 0.025 7.7 7.7 ethylpyrrolidine methyl iodide 141.94 1.00 0.025 3.6 2.28 1.6 acetonitrile 14.1 0.786 17.9 80% Pyr12DBP-I 449.27 1.00 0.024 11.0 11.3 DI water 46.0 1.00 46.0 40% LiTFSI 287.09 1.05 0.026 7.4 Pyr12DBP-TFSI 602.51 14.8

Quaternization.

Dibutylphosphate-ethylpyrrolidine and acetonitrile were added to a 250 mL 3-neck flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, water-cooled condenser, N₂ inlet and thermocouple. The mixture was stirred at room temperature.

While stirring, methyl iodide was added to the mixture dropwise by syringe and the internal temperature was monitored for evidence of exotherm. The temperature was maintained under 30° C. After the addition was completed, the mixture was heated to 40° C. for one hour. The overall reaction time was three hours.

The mixture was cooled to room temperature and the solvent was removed via rotary evaporation. Yield: dark amber oil, 11.0 g (97%).

Metathesis (TFSI)

The resultant iodide salt from step 1 and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide were added to a 100 mL capped bottle equipped with a magnetic stirring bar as two separate solutions, each dissolved in 30 mL DI water. A cloudy precipitate quickly formed, after which, a dense amber layer deposited on the bottom of the flask. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 min.

The water layer was decanted, DCM (20 mL) was added and the entire mixture was poured into a separatory funnel. The organic layer was washed with DI water (2×20 mL), separated, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The oil was pumped under high vacuum for two hours and dried under vacuum (5 mbar, 60° C.). Yield: dark amber oil, 13.7 g (93%).

Characterization.

H⁺ NMR: (CDCl3) δ ppm 4.44 (t, 2H), 4.08 (q, 4H), 3.76 (t, 2H), 3.64 (m, 4H), 3.15 (s, 3H), 2.29 (m, 4H), 1.68 (q, 4H), 1.41 (s, 4H), 0.95 (s, 6H). F¹⁹ NMR: (CDCl3) δ ppm −79.0.

Example 2

The thermal stability of the pyrrolidinium cation-appended dibutylphosphate functional ionic liquid and the thermal stability of dibutylphosphate, a comparative example, were compared using thermogravimetric analysis, wherein the measurement was conducted at a 10° C./min scan rate from room temperature.

FIG. 1 shows the weight change as a function of temperature. As shown in FIG. 1, dibutylphosphate underwent close to 80% weight loss at about 250° C., while the ionic liquid containing the dibutylphosphate pyrrolidinium cation experienced only a 20% weight loss at 250° C. The novel ionic liquid clearly exhibited improved thermal stability compared to nonionic dibutylphosphate.

Example 3

Phosphate functional ionic liquid electrolyte in an electrochemical device.

Electrolyte formulations were prepared in a dry argon filled glovebox by combining all the electrolyte components in a vial and stirring for 24 hours to ensure complete dissolution of the salts. The phosphate functional ionic liquid is added as an additive to a base electrolyte formulation comprising a 3:7 by weight mixture of ethylene carbonate. “EC”, and ethyl methyl carbonate, “EMC”, with 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate, “LiPF₆”, dissolved therein. The electrolyte formulations prepared are summarized in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Electrolyte formulations. Electrolyte Base Ionic liquid Additive (15 wt. %) 1 1M Li PF₆; EC:EMC; 3:7 NONE w/w 2 1M Li PF₆; EC:EMC; 3:7 w/w

3 1M Li PF₆; EC:EMC; 3:7 w/w

4 1M Li PF₆; EC:EMC; 3:7 w/w

The electrolyte formulations prepared are used as the electrolyte in 40 mm×20 mm×35 mm Li-ion polymer pouch cells including Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide cathode active material and graphite as the anode active material. In each cell 1.1 g of electrolyte formulation is added and allowed to soak in the cell for 1 hour prior to vacuum sealing and testing. The cells were then charged to 4.2 V and discharged to 2.5 V at a C/15 rate for the first cycles, and C/5 onwards. The cells have a nominal capacity of 200 mAh at C/5. In FIG. 2, the first discharge voltage profiles attributed to each electrolyte is demonstrated.

FIG. 2 shows discharge profiles of NCA-Graphite 200 mAh Pouch cells including phosphate functional ionic liquid electrolytes. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the various phosphate functional ionic liquid electrolytes demonstrate different electrochemical performances, with Electrolytes 3 and 4 showing the most promise.

FIG. 3 shows charge and discharge profiles of NCA-Graphite 200 mAh Pouch cells including phosphate functional ionic liquid electrolytes. In FIG. 3, the charge and discharge profiles at the 4 cycle at C/5 are shown, demonstrating the cyclability of the phosphate functional ionic liquid electrolytes. The coulombic efficiency at cycle 4 is summarized in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Coulombic efficiency at the fourth cycle in NCA- Graphite 200 mAh Pouch cells including phosphate functional ionic liquid electrolytes. Electrolyte Coulombic Efficiency (%) 1 99.7 2 99.5 3 99.0 4 99.9

Although various embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims which follow. 

What is claimed:
 1. An ionic liquid compound, comprising: an anion; and a cation attached to a phosphorus moiety according to the formula:

wherein: A is a CAT⁺ or R₁; B is a CAT⁺ or R₂; CAT⁺ is a pyrrolidinium, piperdinium, azepanium, onium, sulfonium, phosphonium, imidazolium, pyridine or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring having 1 to 3 heteroatoms as ring members comprising nitrogen, oxygen, silicon or sulfur; R₁ and R₂ are independently a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane; Y is O, S or N, with the proviso that when Y is O, CAT⁺ is not an imidazolium or a pyridine; and X is (a) a linker, comprising a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, ester, carbonyl, phenyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo or aryl group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide; (b) O, S, N, or C; or (c) O, S, N, or C attached to the linker.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the anion comprises a halide, aluminates, arsenides, cyanides, thiocyanates, nitrites, benzoates, chlorates, chlorites, chromates, sulfates, sulfites, silicates, thiosulfates, oxalates, acetates, formates, hydroxides, nitrate, phosphate, imide, or borate.
 3. An electrical energy storage device electrolyte comprising: a) an aprotic organic solvent system; b) an alkali metal salt; c) an additive; and d) an ionic liquid compound according to claim
 1. 4. The electrolyte of claim 3, wherein the anion comprises a halide, aluminates, arsenides, cyanides, thiocyanates, nitrites, benzoates, chlorates, chlorites, chromates, sulfates, sulfites, silicates, thiosulfates, oxalates, acetates, formates, hydroxides, nitrate, phosphate, imide, or borate.
 5. The electrolyte of claim 3, wherein the aprotic organic solvent comprises open-chain or cyclic carbonates, carboxylic acid esters, nitrites, ethers, sulfones, ketones, lactones, dioxolanes, glymes, crown ethers, siloxanes, phosphoric acid esters, phosphates, phosphites, mono- or polyphosphazenes or mixtures thereof.
 6. The electrolyte of claim 3, wherein the cation of the alkali metal salt comprises lithium, sodium, aluminum or magnesium.
 7. The electrolyte of claim 3, wherein the additive comprises sulfur-containing compounds, phosphorus-containing compounds, boron-containing compounds, silicon-containing compounds, fluorine-containing compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, compounds containing at least one unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, carboxylic acid anhydrides or the mixtures thereof.
 8. An ionic liquid compound, comprising: an anion; and a cation attached to a phosphorus moiety according to the formula:

wherein: A is a CAT⁺ or R₁; B is a CAT⁺ or R₂; CAT⁺ is a pyrrolidinium, piperdinium, azepanium, onium, sulfonium, phosphonium, imidazolium, pyridine or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring having 1 to 3 heteroatoms as ring members comprising nitrogen, oxygen, silicon or sulfur; R₁ and R₂ are independently a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkynyl, alkylsiloxy, phenyl, benzyl, silyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo, amino or silane; and X is (a) a linker, comprising a C₁-C₈ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, ester, carbonyl, phenyl, thioether, sulfoxide, azo or aryl group, wherein any of the carbon or hydrogen atoms therein are optionally further substituted with a halide; (b) O, S, N, or C; or (c) O, S, N, or C attached to the linker.
 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein the anion comprises a halide, aluminates, arsenides, cyanides, thiocyanates, nitrites, benzoates, chlorates, chlorites, chromates, sulfates, sulfites, silicates, thiosulfates, oxalates, acetates, formates, hydroxides, nitrate, phosphate, imide, or borate.
 10. An electrical energy storage device electrolyte, comprising: a) an aprotic organic solvent; b) an alkali metal salt; c) an additive; and d) an ionic liquid compound according to claim
 8. 11. The electrolyte of claim 10, wherein the anion comprises a halide, aluminates, arsenides, cyanides, thiocyanates, nitrites, benzoates, chlorates, chlorites, chromates, sulfates, sulfites, silicates, thiosulfates, oxalates, acetates, formates, hydroxides, nitrate, phosphate, imide, or borate.
 12. The electrolyte of claim 10, wherein the aprotic organic solvent comprises open-chain or cyclic carbonates, carboxylic acid esters, nitrites, ethers, sulfones, ketones, lactones, dioxolanes, glymes, crown ethers, siloxanes, phosphoric acid esters, phosphates, phosphites, mono- or polyphosphazenes or mixtures thereof.
 13. The electrolyte of claim 10, wherein the cation of the alkali metal salt comprises lithium, sodium, aluminum or magnesium.
 14. The electrolyte of claim 10, wherein the additive comprises sulfur-containing compounds, phosphorus-containing compounds, boron-containing compounds, silicon-containing compounds, fluorine-containing compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, compounds containing at least one unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, carboxylic acid anhydrides or the mixtures thereof. 